Five international events, 4 countries, thousands of miles, gallons of fuel and countless Nexen Tyres later, Irelands James Deane has achieved the unthinkable and captured the 2008 Prodrift European Series.
At an eventful final event at Lydden Hill,UK, James’ 4^th Podium appearance of the year coupled with the mis-fortune of his closest competitors meant that the the Nexen sponsored Nissan added the title of Prodrift European Champion to his recent Irish domestic title.  Prior to the finals, the Nexen Nissan was a topical point of conversation as rumours of major engine surgery circulated around the drifting world. Team Deane had made a decision to gamble on a new engine setup prior to the event with one eye fixed on the trip to Los Angeles for the Red Bull Drifting World Championships. Under severe time constraints, the trusty SR20DET setup was transported to TrackDay Performance in Co.Wicklow, Ireland for the introduction of an RB26 lump with modified drive train. Many considered the transplant at such a critical point in the season to be high-risk but with an expert team of mechanics and tuners at his disposal the 16 year old Irish Champion was excited by and confident in the upgrade.  The Nexen S14 rolled off the trailer at Lydden with some minor finishing touches still to be completed. Deane had yet to drive, let alone test, the new setup. With morning practice coming to a close the white and purple Silvia made its first trip around the power hungry Lydden Hill circuit and was immediately impressive. After just 2 runs, Deane looked entirely comfortable behind the wheel of his new machine and the RB26 motor sounded incredible as it powered up the hills with ease. James commented on the different driving technique required – less aggressive initiations with a graduated throttle feed were his first observations.

With practice out of the way and following some post-session diagnostics, the Nexen Nissan prepared to qualify. 2 laps to determine the 2008 Irish Champions grid position in what would be the most important Top 16 of the season. Without concern or pressure James delivered two solid laps earning him 2^nd highest qualifier behind his main championship rival, Darren McNamara.  The opening battle of the Top 16 played right into the hands of Deane and re-ignited his championship ambitions. Championship leader Darren McNamara fell victim to the Driftworks S13 of Dan Chapman. Furthermore, Eric O’Sullivan who was tied for Deane in 2^nd position in the championship also exited the competition at this stage losing to Prodrift Europe debutant Nigel Colfer. The title was now in the hands of the young Irishman, a podium finish required to clinch the enviable title. James easily progressed to the Top 8 after defeating the UK’s Tom Yates in his first battle but now the Nexen Nissan was beginning to display teething problems with an overheating power steering system. The Trackday Performance crew stemmed the problem at the start line prior to James’ top 8 battle against Dean Kearney – a driver who James has battled on numerous occasions during the season. Again the RB powered Silvia was too much for his opponent and James took another step closer to the championship booking his place in the Final 4. To finish fourth would have left the young Irishman tied with McNamara in the overall championship standings but losing out on a victory count-back. One more win was required and standing in the way was his Nexen team mate Dennis Healy. Healy had impressed all day, his powerful turbo charged Corolla had navigated the course with ease. Run #1 was a close affair but as both cars hit the fastest part of the course for Run#2, Healy dropped off and eventually spun whilst pushing to keep with his opponent.

Jubilant celebrations followed upon his return to the start line and James prepared for the final safe in the knowledge that he had done enough to take the championship victory. Awaiting James in the final was the 2JZ powered S15 Silvia of Phil Morrison. Both hybrid Nissans delivered performances with 100% commitment and their scores were inseparable across the first battle. The same result was achieved in a sudden death match meaning that both would need to draw swords for a third time to determine a winner. Morrison and his Driftworks Silvia had looked excellent right throughout the Top 16 battles but in true Prodrift style had a kept little in reserve for this occasion. James was unable to match the performance of Morrison during Battle #3 and settled for the runners up trophy and with it the crown of 2008 Prodrift European Champion.  

Without winning a single event on the European Calendar, James Deane proved that consistent performances deliver results. Now equipped with over 500 bhp, James Deane will travel to Los Angeles on Nov 15^th for the Red Bull World Drifting Championships confident of mixing it up with a grid full of the worlds best sideways competitors. The new setup will also instil confidence in his 2009 championship ambitions and perhaps deliver results that will see the world’s youngest Professional drifter step onto the top rung of a Prodrift Podium.

     Images Courtesy of Ross @  http://www.doristars.com/

Tags: | Deane | Drift | James | Nexen | prodrift | silvia